Method For Calibrating Seismic Imaging Velocities

ABSTRACT

A method for adjusting an isotropic depth image based on a mis-tie volume is provided. The method generally includes obtaining an isotropic velocity volume for a geophysical volume, obtaining an isotropic depth image of the geophysical volume, obtaining time-depth pairs at downhole locations in the geophysical volume, generating mis-tie values based on the time-depth pairs and the isotropic velocity volume, assigning uncertainties to the mis-tie values, generating a smoothest mis-tie volume that satisfies a target goodness of fit with the mis-tie values. Adjustment of the isotropic depth image may be achieved based on the mis-tie volume or a calibration velocity obtained from the mis-tie volume.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 asa continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/688,330, filedJan. 15, 2010, which claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/145,256, filed Jan.16, 2009, each of which are incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. cl Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to techniques forperforming seismic imaging.

2. Description of the Related Art

Isotropic velocity analysis followed by isotropic depth migration mayresult in large errors in seismic depth images where the earth isanisotropic. For example, in the Gulf of Mexico, it may not be unusualto observe mis-ties of 1,000 ft, or more, at depths below 10,000 ft. Asa consequence, isotropic images may be frequently adjusted to tie moreaccurate data at wells. A common approach may use the isotropicvelocities to convert the image to time, followed by conversion back todepth with a calibration velocity. A problem may be how best to estimatethe calibration velocity; in particular, how to deduce the calibrationvelocity far from the nearest well.

Because of the sparsity of well locations, calibrations may beambiguous. A clear pitfall to avoid may be the creation of a prospectthat is not in the isotropic image and is not supported by the wells.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method forperforming seismic imaging. More specifically, to adjusting an isotropicdepth image. Adjustment of the isotropic depth image may be achievedbased on a mis-tie volume or a calibration velocity obtained from amis-tie volume.

In one embodiment, the method includes obtaining an isotropic velocityvolume for a geophysical volume, obtaining an isotropic depth image ofthe geophysical volume, obtaining time-depth pairs at downhole locationsin the geophysical volume, generating mis-tie values based on thetime-depth pairs and the isotropic velocity volume, assigninguncertainties to the mis-tie values, and generating a mis-tie volumethat satisfies a target goodness of fit with the mis-tie values.

In another embodiment, the method includes obtaining an isotropicvelocity volume for a geophysical volume, obtaining an isotropic depthimage of the geophysical volume, obtaining time-depth pairs at downholelocations in the geophysical volume, generating mis-tie values based onthe time-depth pairs and the isotropic velocity volume, assigninguncertainties to the mis-tie values, generating a smoothest mis-tievolume that satisfies a target goodness of fit with the mis-tie values,obtaining a calibration velocity from the mis-tie volume, generating atime image from the isotropic depth image, and generating a depth imagefrom the time image using the calibration velocity.

In another embodiment, the method includes obtaining an isotropicvelocity volume for the geophysical volume, obtaining an isotropic depthimage of a geophysical volume, obtaining depth mis-tie values byidentifying isotropic depth images with known true depths measured atwells, assigning uncertainties to the mistie values, generating asmoothest mis-tie volume that satisfies a target goodness of fit withthe mis-tie values, and obtaining an estimate of the velocity normal tostructure by taking the directional derivative with respect to time, inthe direction normal to structure, of the mis-tie volume.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the presentinvention can be understood in detail, a more particular description ofthe invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference toembodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Itis to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate onlytypical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to beconsidered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to otherequally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of example operations for adjusting anisotropic depth image, in accordance with certain embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the locations of 59 wells that provided check shotsfor an example study, in accordance with certain embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates mis-ties plotted as a function of time, in accordancewith certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates trial values of a regularization parameter λ and thecorresponding chi-square values x², in accordance with certainembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates the mis-ties in FIG. 3, after calibration, inaccordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate plotted samples of the calibration velocity atthe four well locations labeled in FIG. 2. in accordance with certainembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows anisotropic parameter δ along a West-East line through welllocation VR_(—)991 (shown in FIG. 2).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Anisotropy may cause large depth errors in images obtained withisotropic velocity analysis and depth migration. Typically, the errorsmay become apparent only where the seismic image intersects a welllocation (i.e., where true depths are measurable). Sparsity of wellinformation may lead to ambiguity. It may be desirable to know whatcriterion to use to adjust the image at locations far from the wells andwhether the prospect is real. The calibration problem may be posed interms of a three-dimensional mis-tie function, (e.g., in terms of thedifference in depth between uncalibrated and calibrated images). Bymeans of regularization, a mis-tie volume may be obtained. The mis-tievolume may produce an acceptable fit at the wells but may not introduceunnecessary structure into the calibrated image. Differentiation of themis-tie volume with respect to time may yield a calibration velocity.

Given the isotropic velocities, the problem may be posed in terms of athree-dimensional mis-tie function, (i.e., in terms of the depthdifference between isotropic and calibrated images). Data for theproblem may be vertical travel times and corresponding depths, eitherfrom check-shots or from interpreted formation tops. By regularizingmis-tie directly, a desirable featureless update to the isotropic imagemay be sought. The update may fit the data at the wells. The fit maytake into account uncertainty in the data.

The method may produce a mis-tie volume which may be used to adjust theisotropic image. Equivalently, the time derivative of mis-tie may yielda calibration velocity to be applied as described earlier. For the caseof polar anisotropy, the calibration velocity may be viewed as anestimate of the velocity of vertically propagating waves in the earth.As such, it may be a useful starting point for further estimation ofanisotropic earth parameters.

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of example operations 100 for adjusting anisotropic depth image, in accordance with certain embodiments of thepresent invention.

The operations may begin, at step 102 by obtaining an isotropic velocityvolume for a geophysical volume of interest. At 104, an isotropic depthimage of the geophysical volume may be obtained. At 106, time-depthpairs at downhole locations in the geophysical volume may be obtained.At 108, mis-tie values may be generated based on the time-depth pairsand the isotropic velocity volume. At 110, uncertainties may be assignedto the generated mis-tie values. These uncertainties may be assigned inorder to take into account measurement errors in the quantities used togenerate the mis-tie values. At 112, a smoothest mis-tie volume may begenerated. The mis-tie volume thus generated, when used to adjust theisotropic depth image, may not introduce undesirable structure into theimage. Furthermore, the mis-tie volume generated may satisfy a targetgoodness of fit with the mis-tie values previously generated.

At 114, the isotropic depth image obtained at 104 may be adjusted usingthe generated mis-tie volume. Another way of adjusting the isotropicdepth image may be to use a calibration velocity obtained from themis-tie volume, at 116. The mis-tie volume may be differentiated toobtain the calibration velocity. The calibration velocity thus obtainedmay be an estimate of the velocity of vertically propagating waves inthe geophysical volume. At 118, a time image may be generated from theisotropic depth image. At 120, a depth image may be generated from thetime image using the calibration velocity obtained from the mis-tievolume. This depth image may be equivalent to the adjusted imageobtained at 114.

Definition of MIS-TIE

Let V₀(x,y,t) be the (unknown) vertical wave speed in the earth andV_(iso)(x,y,t) the wave speed obtained from isotropic velocity analysis.Starting at surface location (x,y,O), propagation along a vertical pathfor time t may give

$\begin{matrix}{{z\left( {x,y,t} \right)} = {\int_{0}{{V_{0}\left( {x,y,\tau} \right)}{t}}}} & (1)\end{matrix}$

as the depth reached in the earth, and

$\begin{matrix}{{z_{iso}\left( {x,y,t} \right)} = {\int_{0}{{V_{iso}\left( {x,y,\tau} \right)}{\tau}}}} & (2)\end{matrix}$

as the corresponding depth in the isotropic model. The function m(x,y,t)may be introduced to describe the discrepancy, or mis-tie:

m(x,y,t)=z _(ixo)(x,y,t)−z(x,y,t)   (3)

Differentiation with respect to time may produce

$\begin{matrix}{\frac{\partial{m\left( {x,y,t} \right)}}{\partial t} = {{V_{iso}\left( {x,y,t} \right)} - {V_{0}\left( {x,y,t} \right)}}} & (4)\end{matrix}$

Described below is a method for estimating m(x,y,t) given its value at asparse distribution of points. If Visa is assumed known, equation (4)may then give an estimate of V₀. The estimate may be the calibrationvelocity. Typically, the calibration velocity may inherit high-frequencylateral variations from Visa, while the mis-tie derivative may supply along wavelength adjustment (See “Calibrating prestack depth migrationvolumes with well control”: 76^(th) Ann. Internat. Mtg., Soc. Expl.Geophys., Expanded Abstracts, 530-534). It may be noted that where Visais determined using short-offset data, an approximation for ananisotropic parameter δ may follow directly from equation (4) and therelationship

V _(iso)(x,y,t)≈V ₀(x,y,t)(1+δ(x,y,t))   (5)

from “Weak Elastic Anisotropy”: Geophysics, 52, 1954-1966.

It may also be noted that in the case of tilted transverse isotropy, thetime derivative may be taken as a directional derivative normal tostructure. In this case, the mis-tie values may be obtained, forexample, from direct correlations between isotropic depth images andknown markers in wells (formation tops). The resultant velocity V₀ maybe the seismic velocity in the direction normal to structure.

An Example Method for Adjusting an Isotropic Depth Image

Given, at each of M locations (x_(i),y_(i), z_(i)), the traveltime t_(i)for vertical propagation from the earth's surface, a quantity d_(i) maybe defined as described below.

d _(i) =z _(iso) (x _(i) , y _(i) , t _(i))−z _(i)   (6)

Next a vector m of length N may be introduced to parameterize mis-tiethroughout the volume (x,y,t). (Elements of m may, for example, bevalues of mis-tie on a regular grid.) Interpolating to obtain themis-tie at (x_(i),y_(i),z_(i)) and equating to d_(i) may produce

d _(i) =a _(i) ^(T) m, i=1, . . . M   (7)

Here, a_(i) may be a vector of interpolation coefficients. In matrixnotation equation (7) may become

d={tilde under (A)} m   (8)

where a_(i) ^(T) may now be the i th row of matrix {tilde under (A)}:

All of the measured quantities in equation (6), namely x_(i), y_(i),z_(i) and t_(i) may be subject to measurement error, the aggregateeffect of which may be expressed as an uncertainty, σ_(i), in the i thdatum d_(i). The uncertainties may be assigned to equation (8) in theform of weights, using the matrix

{tilde under (W)}=diag(1/σ_(i)):

W d=W A m   (9)

In the calibration problem, it may often be the case that number ofunknowns, N, may exceed the number of data, M, so that a unique solutionto equation (9) may not exist. A key issue may therefore be one ofregularization. In other words, it may be an issue of determining whichof the many possible solutions to seek. It may be an important issuesince misfit is a map between isotropic and calibrated depth images. Thesolution desired may be one that changes the isotropic image in the mostcautious way while attaining a certain goodness of fit to the data.Cautious may mean smoothest. One example algorithm for generating smoothmodels from electromagnetic sounding data, may involve minimization ofobjective function O described below.

O=λ² ||{tilde under (D)} m|| ² +||{tilde under (W)} {tilde under (A)}m−{tilde under (W)} d || ²   (10)

where λ may be a regularization parameter and {tilde under (D)} may bean N×N matrix of second derivatives. The j th row of {tilde under (D)}may be a finite difference approximation, centered at m_(j), of the sum

$\begin{matrix}{\frac{\partial^{2}}{\partial x^{2}} = {\frac{\partial^{2}}{\partial y^{2}} + {\frac{1}{V_{iso}^{2}\left( {x,y,t} \right)}{\frac{\partial^{2}}{\partial t^{2}}.}}}} & (11)\end{matrix}$

Alternatively, it may be the sum

$\begin{matrix}{\frac{\partial^{2}}{\partial x^{2}} + \frac{\partial^{2}}{\partial y^{2}} + \frac{\partial^{2}}{\partial x_{iso}^{2}}} & (12)\end{matrix}$

applied to the mis-tie volume m(x,y,z_(iso)) obtained by mappingm(x,y,t) from time to isotropic depth.

Minimization of O may yield the following linear system to be solved form

(x ² {tilde under (D)} ^(T) {tilde under (D)}+({tilde under (W)} {tildeunder (A)})^(T) ({tilde under (W)} {tilde under (A)}))m={tilde under(A)} ^(T) d   (13)

The parameter λ may control the trade-off between smoothness of thesolution and fit to the data, and it may be preferable to determine asuitable value for λ. One approach to selecting parameters is asfollows. First, with a, set equal to the standard deviation of the i thdatum, the second term on the right hand side of equation (10) may berecognized as a quantity “chi-square.”

x ² =||{tilde under (W)} {tilde under (A)} m−{tilde under (W)} d|| ^(d)  (14)

Following this, it may be assumed that the data contains independentlyrandom, zero mean, Gaussian errors. The expected value of x² may then beM, the number of data. Finally, equation (13) may be solved repeatedlywith a series of values for λ. The solution that yields a x² closest toM may be chosen. This may be the smoothest possible solution for thetarget goodness of fit.

An Example Study

The following Figures illustrate how the technique presented herein maybe applied to adjust an image.

FIG. 2 indicates locations 200 of the 59 wells that provided check shotsfor the study. Axes units are feet and the vertical axis points towardsnorth. The area shown is approximately 1200 square miles. Velocities atthe four labeled wells are plotted in FIGS. 6A-6D. Mis-ties werecomputed using a velocity model obtained from isotropic migrationvelocity analysis and tomography. The check shots yielded a total of1846 mis-ties (i.e., M in equation (7)).

FIG. 3 illustrates mis-ties 300 in feet plotted as a function of time.Positive mis-tie may indicate that the corresponding depth in anisotropic image may be greater than true depth in the earth (equation(3)). This may clearly be the case for times greater than about 1500 msand may be characteristic of the occurrence of anisotropic, possiblypressured, shales. Shallow times may indicate the reverse trend, withmis-tie becoming increasingly negative down to about 500 ms.

It may be noted that within a depth range where the earth is isotropicthe mis-tie trend tends to level out in the plot since V_(iso)(x,y,t)and V₀(x,y,t) may be the same in an interval of isotropy. Thisobservation may be used to estimate uncertainty in the mis-tie values,as follows. In FIG. 3, the zone 500 ms≦t≦1000 ms may be interpreted tobe approximately isotropic across the study area. In addition, it may beassumed that the shallow earth (t<500 ms) is laterally homogeneous. Theeffect of shallow anisotropy may then be a bulk shift of the mis-tiesbelow 500 ms, so that scatter in the zone of isotropy may be attributedto measurement errors in the check shot data. For 500 ms≦t≦1000 ms themis-ties in FIG. 3 may have a standard deviation of 70 ft. This valuemay be used for the elements of the diagonal matrix W in equation (9);that is, σ_(i)=70, all i.

FIG. 4 illustrates a plot 400 of trial values of a regularizationparameter lambda λ and the corresponding chi-square values: x². Targetx² of 1846 is indicated by the line 410. On solving equation (13)repeatedly with trial values of the regularization parameter λ, thechi-squares shown in FIG. 4 may be observed. The value λ=3500 may give achi-square closest to the target and the mis-tie vector m obtained fromthis inversion may be taken to be the solution. Differentiating m andinserting into equation (4) may give an estimate of V₀ (i.e., thecalibration velocity).

FIG. 5 shows the result of 500 of replacing V_(iso) with the calibrationvelocity in the mis-tie calculation. In other words, FIG. 5 illustratesthe mis-ties in FIG. 3, after calibration. The figure may be useful as aprediction of mis-ties in the calibrated image. The mean value of themis-ties shown is −4 ft; standard deviation is 69 ft.

FIG's. 6A-6D illustrate plotted samples 600 of the calibration velocity630 at the four well locations labeled in FIG. 2. FIG. 6A representswell location VR_99_1, FIG. 6B represents well location VR_146_2, FIG.6C represents well location VR_54_2 and FIG. 6D represents well locationVR_111_1. Also shown in the plots are the corresponding isotropicvelocities (V_(iso)) 620, and interval velocities 610 computed directlyfrom the check-shot data. The anomalously high check shot velocity neartime zero in well location VR_99_1 shown in FIG. 6A suggests anerroneous datum correction in the MMS data. Consistent with FIG. 3, itmay be noticed that the slower isotropic velocities at early times arefollowed by an intermediate zone of better agreement. A velocityinversion may occur at about 1300 ms; isotropic velocities at latertimes may be too fast.

FIG. 7 shows anisotropic parameter 6 along an example West-East linethrough well location VR_99_1 shown in FIG. 2.

Of the many calibrations that fit the data, a method has been describedthat may produce the smoothest, or most featureless, update to theuncalibrated image. Key aspects of the method are: (i) the problem isposed in terms of mis-tie; (ii) data for the problem are mis-ties atwells; (iii) uncertainties in the data are taken into account; (iv)regularization is applied directly to a mis-tie volume; and (v)calibration velocity is obtained as the difference between isotropicvelocity and the time derivative of the regularized mis-tie.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention,other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised withoutdeparting from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof isdetermined by the claims that follow.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A method, comprising: obtaining an isotropic depthimage of a geophysical volume; obtaining time-depth pairs at downholelocations in the geophysical volume; generating, via a computer, mis-tievalues as a function of a discrepancy between a depth and acorresponding isotropic depth based on the isotropic depth image;assigning uncertainties to the mis-tie values; and generating a mis-tievolume that satisfies a target goodness of fit with the mis-tie values.22. The method of claim 21, comprising: obtaining an isotropic velocityvolume for the geophysical volume; and determining the isotropic depthimage based on an isotropic velocity analysis of the isotropic velocityvolume.
 23. The method of claim 22, comprising: generating the mis-tievalues based on the time-depth pairs and the isotropic velocity volume.24. The method of claim 21, comprising: obtaining a calibration velocityfrom the mis-tie volume.
 25. The method of claim 24, comprising:differentiating the mis-tie volume to obtain the calibration velocity,wherein the calibration velocity is an estimate of a velocity ofvertically propagating waves in the geophysical volume.
 26. The methodof claim 21, comprising: adjusting the isotropic depth image using themis-tie volume.
 27. The method of claim 21, comprising: generating atime image from the isotropic depth image.
 28. The method of claim 27,comprising: generating a depth image from the time image.
 29. The methodof claim 29, wherein the depth image is substantially equivalent to anadjusted isotropic image from the mis-tie volume.
 30. The method ofclaim 21, comprising: computing the depth mis-tie values according tothe expression:m(x, y, t)=z _(iso)(x, y, t)−z(x, y, t) where z_(iso)(x, y, t) is anisotropic depth based on the isotropic depth image, z(x, y, t) is adepth, and m(x, y, t) is a depth mis-tie.
 31. A computer implementedmethod comprising: obtaining, via a computer, an isotropic depth imageof a geophysical volume; obtaining time-depth pairs at downholelocations in the geophysical volume, the time-depth pairs correspondingto one or more wells located in the geophysical volume based on the dataindicative of the at least one measurement; generating, via thecomputer, mis-tie values as a function of a discrepancy between a depthand a corresponding isotropic depth based on the isotropic depth image;assigning uncertainties to the depth mis-tie values; generating asmoothest mis-tie volume that satisfies a target goodness of fit withthe depth mis-tie values; obtaining a calibration velocity from themis-tie volume; generating a time image from the isotropic depth image;and generating a depth image from the time image using the calibrationvelocity.
 32. The computer implemented method of claim 31, comprising:obtaining an isotropic velocity volume for the geophysical volume usingdata indicative of at least one seismic survey.
 33. The computerimplemented method of claim 31, comprising: adjusting the isotropicdepth image using the mis-tie volume.
 34. The computer implementedmethod of claim 31, comprising: computing the depth mis-tie valuesaccording to the expression:m(x, y, t)=z _(iso)(x, y, t)−z(x, y, t) where z_(iso)(x, y, t) is anisotropic depth based on the isotropic depth image, z(x, y, t) is adepth, and m(x, y, t) is a depth mis-tie.
 35. A computer configured to:obtain an isotropic depth image of a geophysical volume; obtaintime-depth pairs at downhole locations in the geophysical volume;generate mis-tie values as a function of a discrepancy between a depthand a corresponding isotropic depth based on the isotropic depth image;assign uncertainties to the mis-tie values; and generate a mis-tievolume that satisfies a target goodness of fit with the mis-tie values.36. The computer of claim 35, further configured to: obtain an isotropicvelocity volume for the geophysical volume; and determine the isotropicdepth image based on an isotropic velocity analysis of the isotropicvelocity volume.
 37. The computer of claim 36, further configured to:generating the mis-tie values based on the time-depth pairs and theisotropic velocity volume.
 38. The computer of claim 35, furtherconfigured to: obtain an isotropic velocity volume for the geophysicalvolume using data indicative of at least one seismic survey.
 39. Thecomputer of claim 35, further configured to: obtain a calibrationvelocity from the mis-tie volume; and differentiate the mis-tie volumeto obtain the calibration velocity, wherein the calibration velocity isan estimate of the velocity of vertically propagating waves in thegeophysical volume.
 40. The computer of claim 35, further configured to:computing the depth mis-tie values according to the expression:m(x, y, t)=z _(iso)(x, y, t)−z(x, y, t) where z_(iso)(x, y, t) is anisotropic depth based on the isotropic depth image, z(x, y, t) is adepth, and m(x, y, t) is a depth mis-tie.